History of Toro

In the heart of Molise, the town of Toro hides a powerful story of loss and resilience. On 26 July 1805, as people were preparing to sleep, a devastating earthquake struck. In an instant, chaos replaced the quiet of the evening, flattening almost the entire town. Out of 2,400 residents, 279 lives were lost, including many children. Only seven buildings remained standing. ​ The disaster left survivors scrambling for shelter. Some found refuge in the convent, the only structures still standing, while others built makeshift timber and straw houses that offered little protection against the elements. With no cemetery yet established and the mother church (which we see from the hostel) buried in rubble, the townspeople were left in anguish. Horrified at the thought of burying their loved ones in unconsecrated ground, they faced an agonizing dilemma. Rebuilding the church’s basic structure took 23 years, a symbol of the community’s determination to endure.

In recent years, Toro has gained recognition on the global stage for its exceptional wines. At the 32nd Mondial des Vins Extrêmes, an international wine competition celebrating the best in unique and heroic viticulture " (means honoring wines made in tough conditions, like steep hills or rocky soils, where growing grapes takes extra effort, skill, and tradition.), Toro’s Tintilia del Molise Doc ‘San Mercurio’ 2022 achieved a remarkable honor. It was the only Italian red wine from Central and Southern Italy to win the prestigious Grand Gold Medal, the competition’s top award. Another local gem, the Tintilia del Molise Doc ‘HERERO’ 2022, earned a Gold Medal. This competition highlights wines produced in small, historically significant wine-growing regions known for their unique landscapes and traditions. Out of 1,015 wines from 25 countries, only three Italian red wines received the Grand Gold Medal – and Toro’s Tintilia stands proudly among them.

He was born in Cappadocia (modern-day Turkey) into a Christian family and became a soldier in the Roman Empire, serving with distinction. Mercurius’s life took a pivotal turn when Emperor Decius demanded all soldiers renounce Christianity and worship Roman gods. Refusing to abandon his faith, Mercurius openly declared his loyalty to Christ. His defiance angered the emperor, leading to his imprisonment, torture, and eventual execution around 250 AD.